Battery-mounted receptacle means

ABSTRACT

I disclose a receptacle arrangement for mounting on a battery, said arrangement comprising an insulating support, receptacle means mounted on said support, conductors mounted on said support and electrically connected to said receptacle means, said conductors being disposed for electrical engagement with terminals respectively of said battery, and cooperating means on said support and on said battery terminals for securing said support to said terminals at a position of electrical engagement of said conductors with said terminals respectively.

United States Patent 72] Inventor Lawrence E. Rodgers 5618 Second Ave.,Pittsburgh, Pa. 15207 [21] Appl. No. 32,309 1 [22] Filed Apr. 27, 1970[45] Patented Dec. 7, 1971 [54] BATTERY-MOUNTED RECEPTACLE MEANS 5Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

52 u.s. CI. 136/181, 136/135, 339/92, 339/152, 339/159, 339/202 51 im.CI. ..l-10lm-l/00,

H011" 11/00 [50] Field oi'Selrch 136/108,109,135,l81;339/152,l19,159,l54,156,92

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1941 Wheat 136/1352,205,878 6/1940 Eby 2,654,074 9/1953 Lancelot 339/92 1,215,004 2/1917.Decker 136/135 1,378,952 5/1921 Hawthorne 136/108 PrimaryExaminer-Donald L.-Walton Attorney-Buell, Blenko & Zicsenheim ABSTRACT:I disclose a receptacle arrangement for mounting on a battery, saidarrangement comprising an insulating support, receptacle means mountedon said support, conductors mounted on said support and electricallyconnected to said receptacle means, said conductors being disposed forelectrical engagement with terminals respectively of said' battery, andcooperating means on said support and on said battery terminals forsecuring said support to said terminals at a position of electricalengagement of said conductors with said terminals respectively.

PATENTEU DEC 7 I97! SHEET 1' BF 2 INVENTOR. LAWRENCE E. RODGERS [Z*luzAeQr AT TOR NEYS BATTERY-MOUNTED RECEPTACLE MEANS The presentinvention relates to a receptacle arrangement which can be quickly andsecurely mounted on a battery casing to facilitate utilization thereof,and more particularly to a receptacle arrangement of the characterdescribed which can be readily removed from the battery casing forbattery replacement purposes.

Although the battery-mounted receptacle arrangement of the invention isillustrated and described in connection with particular types of 6-voltand 12-volt batteries, it will be apparent that the arrangement can bereadily modified, within the teachings of the invention, for othertypes, styles, and sizes of batteries.

Various types of receptacles for installation on a battery or a numberof batteries have been known for many years, for example, the U.S. Pat.to Kammerhofi' No. 1,266,814. Battery receptacles of this type, however,require excessive hardware both for mounting and securing the receptaclearrangement on the battery and for establishing electrical contactbetween the receptacles and the battery terminal. Moreover, these andother types of battery receptacles, for example, those disclosed in theU.S. Pat. Nos. to Koch 1,983,037, Hautala 2,582,330, Hall 3,007027 andKnight 3,177,463 require specialized receptacle constructions andspecialized plug connectors which are not readily available. In manycases, such as in the battery receptacles of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,177,463(supra) and 1,983,037 (supra) the receptacle arrangements are notreadily removable from the battery and must be discarded when thebatteries are worn out.

Other battery receptacle arrangements of known construction utilizereceptacle contacts which are unshielded, and care inust be taken thatthey do not undesirably contact an electrically conducting component,when in use. This frequently necessitates the provision of anelectrically insulating shield or suitably spacing the socket from theconducting parts with which it is to be associated. The provision ofsuch shield involves additional complexity and manufacturing difficulty,while spacing the socket from adjacent conductive components undesirablyincreases the bulk of the receptacle and battery combination.

In many of these prior receptacle arrangements, it is necessary tomodify the casing or other structure of the battery. In the present-daystandardization of various battery sizes, this is highly undesirablefrom a manufacturing point of view. Such modification, moreover,increases the bulk or complexity of the batteries in the first instanceand usually complicates and increases the size of the receptaclearrangement.

In other cases such as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,463 (supra) the receptaclearrangement is configures such that portions of the receptacle mustextend into a cavity defined by a number of batteries. That is to say,the last-mentioned receptacle arrangement can only be used with a groupof batteries, without exposing the receptacle contacts.

In the foregoing references and in other receptacle arrangement, thebattery terminals usually are completely enclosed which rendersrecharging of the battery difficult, in those cases where the battery isof the rechargeable variety. Of course, prior receptacle and batterycombination can be recharged through the receptacle itself, but as notedpreviously, specialized plug connectors are required, instead of theusual alligator clamps furnished with conventional batteryrechargingapparatus.

In general, no prior receptacle and battery arrangement is assembledsolely through the use of the battery terminal means. lnstead,complicated and excessive hardware is employed in making known batteryand receptacle assemblies. The battery terminals therefore are notaccessible for direct connection by external circuit components. Thiscomplicates the aforementioned battery-recharging operation when used.

1 overcome these deficiencies of the prior art by providing a receptacleand battery assembly, in which the components are assembled primarilythrough use of the battery terminals usually provided with the battery.The manufacture of the receptacle arrangement is considerably simplifiedin the first instance, and only minimal labor is entailed in completingthe receptacle and battery assembly. Further, the receptacle arrangementcan be readily removed from the battery for replacement or rechargingpurposes as desired. On the other hand, the battery terminals remainaccessible afier assembly of the receptacle and battery combination forconnection to external circuitry, for example in a battery-rechargingoperation with the receptacle arrangement remaining attached to thebattery. I

My novel receptacle and battery arrangement can be assembled withoutexposure of electrical contacts, without modifying the conventionalbattery, and without unduly increasing the bulk of the battery. Moreparticularly, my novel receptacle arrangement is adaptable for mountingon a variety of conventional battery sizes and shapes, and moreover,utilizes conventional receptacle structures, which in turn can beengaged by conventional plugs and appliance cords. On the other hand,both the plug and receptacle structure can be modified in a minor mannerto prevent a low-voltage appliance used with my novel receptacle andbattery combination from being inadvertently plugged into a high-voltageor line voltage outlet.

My invention further contemplates a receptacle arrangement on which oneor more duplex or triplex receptacle structures can be mounted inengagement with contact means forming part of the receptacle arrangementand capable of quick-attach assembly to the battery terminals. Myreceptacle and battery arrangement is admirably suited for emergencylighting sources, and when provided with a 12-volt battery is readilyadaptable for use .with most vehicular emergency lighting systems orother emergency lighting systems employing a source of similar voltage.

In a specific applicative embodiments, for example for use with certainvehicular electric systems, I additionally provide means forming part ofthe receptacle arrangement for quick disconnecting the receptaclearrangement from the attached battery to permit energization only fromthe vehicle battery during that time in which the vehicle ignitionbattery contains adequate potential. Thereafter, warning lights or otherappliances can be energized directly from the attached emergency batteryby the barest minimum of circuit manipulation.

As an example of the last-described application, my invention can beutilized with the electrical system of my copending application entitledSafety Lighting System for Vehicles, filed Mar. 20, 1969, Ser. No.808,794 now abandoned.

I accomplish these desirable results by providing a receptaclearrangement for mounting on a battery, said arrangement comprising aninsulating support, receptacle means mounted on said support, conductorsmounted on said support and electrically connected to said receptaclemeans, said conductors being disposed for electrical engagement withterminals respectively of said battery, and cooperating means on saidsupport and on said battery terminals for securing said support to saidterminals at a position of electrical engagement of said conductors withsaid terminals respectively.

I also desirably provide a similar receptacle arrangement wherein saidconductors are embedded in said insulating support.

1 also desirably provide a similar receptacle arrangement wherein saidcooperating means include conductive members disposed to engage saidbattery terminals respectively upon mounting said insulating supportthereon, and said conductors are secured to said conductive membersrespectively in electrical contact therewith.

I also desirably provide a similar receptacle arrangement wherein saidconductive members protrude through an upper surface of said insulatingsupport for engagement respectively with conductive portions of saidcooperating means, said conductive portions being shaped for engagementwith said terminals respectively for electrically connecting saidconductive members to said terminals.

1 also desirably provide a similar receptacle arrangement wherein saidreceptacle means are arranged to accommodate at least three electricalplugs, means for electrically connecting said conductors in parallelrespectively to related contacts of said receptacle means, one of saidelectrical plugs being connected to an external source of electricalpotential, the remaining plugs being connected to electrical appliances,said battery being capable of supplying a similar potential, andquick-disconnect means for connecting at least one of said conductors tothe associated battery terminal so that said battery can be electricallyconnected to said receptacle means for emergency purposes in the eventof failure of said external source.

During the foregoing discussion, various objects, features andadvantages of the invention have been set forth. These and otherobjects, features and advantages of the invention together withstructural details thereof will be elaborated upon during theforthcoming description of certain presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention and presently preferred methods of practicing the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have showncertain presently preferredembodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain presentlypreferred methods of practicing the same, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one form of receptacle arrangement shownin its mounted position on a battery;

FIG. 2 is a vertically sectioned view of the apparatus as shown in FIG.I and taken along reference line II--II thereof;

FIG. 2A is a partial view generally similar to the related portion ofFIG. 2 but illustrating a conductor modification in accordance with myinvention;

FIG. 2B is a similar view of a modified form of securance means forassembling my novel receptacle and battery combination;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another form of my novel receptaclearrangement adapted here for use with differing sizes of batteries;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus as shown inFIG. 3 and taken along reference line IV-IV thereof:

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of still another modification of my receptaclearrangement;

FIG. 6 is a similar view of a further modification of my receptaclearrangement; and

FIG. 7 is an elevational view illustrating an exemplary application ofmy receptacle and battery combination.

With particular reference to FIGS. I and 2 of the drawings, myreceptacle and battery combination 10 includes a terminal-mountedreceptacle arrangement 12 formulated in this example from an insulatingsupport in the form of a plate 14 having a duplex receptacle 16 or thelike mounted thereon. The receptacle 16 can be secured to the insulatingsupport 14 by a pair of mounting bolts 18, and desirably is otherwise ofconventional construction. In this arrangement, contact blades 20 inplug openings 22 of the receptacle 16 are electrically connected toconductors 24 extended, in this example, from the receptacle casingthrough the insulating plate 14 and thence along the underside thereofto the battery terminal means. The conductors 24 are secured to theinsulating plate 14 by passage through closely fitted apertures 26therein and by their securance to theconductive members 24 describedbelow.

Alternatively, as described below in connection with FIG. 4, theconductors can be embedded in the insulating plate 14, inprinted-circuit fashion or otherwise, in order to mount the conductorson the insulating plate.

The outer ends of the conductors 24 are soldered, brazed, or otherwisejoined to a pair of conductive members or ringlets 28 (FIG. 2) embeddedat apertures 29 therefor in the insulating plate 14. The ringlets 28 areso located on the plate 14 and are provided with internal apertures 30which are alignable respectively with battery posts 32.

The plate 14 is mounted on battery 34 by inserting the battery post 32through the ringlet apertures 30 until the outer periphery 36 of theinsulating plate engages a battery casing flange or lip 38 surroundingthe terminal area of the battery. As the threaded battery posts 32project through the insulating plate 14, the receptacle arrangement 12can be secured to the battery 34 by a pair of thumb nuts 40. Othercooperating securing means (e.g. as shown in FIG. 28) can be mounted onthe support 14 and on the battery terminals 32 for securing andelectrically connecting the support to the terminal.

The thumb nuts 40 conventionally include a conductive metallic insert 42(FIG. 2) which both th'readedly engages the associated battery post 32and beamingly engages the surrounding conductive ringlet 28 of theinsulating support 14. An electrical conductive path is therebyestablished from each battery post 32 through the associated conductor24 to the associated receptacle contact 20. The thumb nuts 40,therefore, both retain the receptacle arrangement 12 on the battery 34and establish electrical contact between the electrical components ofthe receptacle arrangement 12 and the battery posts 32.

Desirably, the periphery 36 of the insulator plate 14 is configuredsimilarly to the plan area of the battery 34, such that the insulatingplate 14 does not extend appreciably beyond the casing lip or flange 38.Similarly, the receptacle 16 does not extend a significant distanceabove the thumb nuts 40 (FIG. 2). In consequence the receptaclearrangement 12 does not add appreciably to the initial bulk of thebattery 34.

The battery 34 may be of the conventional type having a dished topsurface 44 to accommodate common mounting hardware, such as the screws18 and nuts 45 for the receptacle 16. The dished surface 44 also permitsthe receptacle conductors 24 to be passed along the undersurface of theinsulating plate 14 without any possibility of contacting the batterycasing 46. If desired, insulating washers or spacers 48 can be insertedover the battery posts 32 to bridge substantially the gap between thecasing 46 and the insulating plate 14 in those areas respectivelyadjacent the battery posts 32. When thumb nuts 40 are tightened upon thebattery posts 32, little or no bending forces can be applied to theinsulating plate 14.

As apparent from the foregoing and from FIGS. l2, the receptaclearrangement 14 can be readily installed on and removed from the battery34. Thus the battery 34 can be replaced without discarding thereceptacle arrangement 12. Similarly, the receptacle arrangement 12 canbe readily removed for battery-recharging purposes or for some other,independent use of the battery 34, as desired. Alternatively, thebattery 34, if of the rechargeable variety, can be recharged simply byremoving the thumb nuts 40 and attaching alligator clamps or similarconnectors directly to the protruding ends of the battery posts 32. As afurther alternative, the thumb nuts 40 can be removed and eyelettedconductors (not shown) for external circuit means (not shown) can heslipped over the protruding battery post 32 and the thumbscrews replacedto operate an external circuit in parallel with the load device pluggedinto the receptacle 16.

An alternative conductor arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 2A. Theeyelets 30 of FIGQZ are omitted and the insulating plate 14' isapertured at 50 for close-fitting insertion of the battery terminals 32.The receptacle conductors 24' are bent or eyeletted at 52 as the casemay be for close-fitting insertion over the battery posts 32'. Theeyelets 52 and conductors 24 are disposed such that the batteryterminals are inserted respectively therethrough upon theirsubstantially simultaneous insertion through the support apertures 50.Insulators 48' isolate the conductors 24' from the battery casing 46. Ifdesired, the conductors 24 and eyelets 52 can be shellacked or otherwiseadhered to the undersurface of the insulating plate 14' to maintain aproper alignment of the eyelets with the support apertures.Alternatively, the conductors 24', particularly, if separatelyinsulated, can be maintained in their proper positions by their passagethrough the insulating plate apertures 26 and by securance of theireyeletted portions 52 to the battery posts 32.

A modified form of securance means for assembling my receptacle andbattery combination 10" is shown in FIG. 2B.

In the latter arrangement the conductors 24" are each connected to amodified conductive member or ringlet 51 securely positioned in theinsulating plates apertures 30" after the manner of ringlets 28 in FIG.2. In the instant modification, however, each of the conductive members51 is provided with means for frictionally engaging the battery posts orterminals 32" respectively. Such frictional means not only retains theinsulating plate or support 14" on the battery 34", but simultaneouslyestablishes a reliable electrical contact between the battery terminals32-, the conductive members 51 and the receptacle conductors 24f securedthereto. One form of such frictional means includes a number of springarms 53 which can be formed integrally with the conductive member orringlet 51, for example by lancing or stamping therefrom. Retention ofthe engagement between the spring arms 53 and the battery posts 32" isaided by the fact that the battery posts are threaded in most cases. Theconductive ringlets 51 can be fabricated from a suitable, resilientstructural material such as brass or bronze with requisite electricalconductivity.

FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings illustrate another feature of theinvention involving an adaptation of a single receptacle arrangement 54to accommodate various battery sizes. In an exemplary application, thereceptacle arrangement 54 is shaped to overlie lip or flange 56 at thetop of battery 58. In this example, the battery 58 is of the l2-voltvariety having terminals 60. A triplex receptacle 62 or the like issecured to the insulating plate 64 by means of mounting screws 66.Naturally, a duplex receptacle such as that shown in the precedingfigures can be substituted. The insulating plate or support 64 is shapedto seat flushly around the battery top flange or lip 56 to preserve thecompact nature of the receptacle and battery combination. As bettershown in FIG. 4, the receptacle 62 is provided with contacts 68connected to conductors 70. The conductors 70 can be embedded, in thisexample, on the top surface of the insulating plate 64, as by printedcircuit or similar techniques.

The insulating support or plate 64 is provided with a pair of apertures72 through which the battery posts 60 respectively protrude when thereceptacle arrangement 54 is mounted on the battery 58. Each conductor70 terminates in an annular member 74 surrounding the associatedinsulating plate aperture 72. The conductors 70 are secured to theannular conductive member 74 by soldering or brazing or by fabricatingthe annular member 74 and the conductors 70 integrally. The annularmembers 74, likewise are recessed or embedded in the top surface of theinsulating plate 64. As shown in FIG. 4, tapped metal inserts 42 of thethumb nuts 40 engage both the annular conductive members 74 and thebattery posts 60 for reliable electrical contact. Alternatively, theconductors 70 and annular members 74 can be embedded or otherwisedisposed on the underside of the insulating plate 64. As a furtheralternative, the thumb nuts can be omitted in favor of the quick-attachringlets 51 of FIG. 2B.

In order to adapt the receptacle arrangement 54 to a different sizebattery, for example a 6-volt battery denoted by chain outline 76thereof, a second pair of insulating plate apertures 78 are suitablyspaced therein to accommodate terminal posts 80 of the different sizebattery 76. The auxiliary insulating plate apertures 78 likewise aresurrounded, in this example, by embedded annular conductor members 82which are electrically connected to the adjacent portions of theconductors 70. Here again, the annular conductor members 82 can beformed integrally with the balance of the conductors 70 after the mannerof FIG. 2A.

As shown in FIGS. 3, the outer end portions 65 of the insulating plate64 can, if desired, be broken off when the insulating plate is utilizedwith the smaller sized battery 76. In furtherance of this purpose, a rowof perforations 81, or other preferentially weakening means, can beformed in the insulating support or plate 64 in conformance with eachend of the smaller batter 76.

In the battery and receptacle combination of FIGS. 3 and 4, the contacts68 of the receptacle 62 are electrically connected to the battery posts60 or irrespective of whether the receptacle arrangement 54 is mountedon the battery 58 by protruding its terminals 60 through the insulatingsupport 64 securing with thumb nuts 40, or on the different size battery76 by protruding its terminals 80 through the support 64 and securingwith thumb nuts 40" (FIG. 4).

In FIG. 5, another form of my novel receptacle arrangement 84 is shownwith modified receptacle structures. In this modification, a pair ofduplex receptacles 16' are connected inparallel to posts 60 of battery58' by means of eyeletted conductors 86. Eyelet portions 88 of theconductors 86 surround suitably placed apertures in insulating plate orsupport 90 through which the battery terminals 60' project for securanceof the insulating receptacle plate 90, for example by means of the thumbnuts shown in the preceding figures. Although the conductors 86 andannular conductive members 88 are shown as supported on the topinsulating plate surface, these conductive members can be formed inaccordance either with FIGS. 2, 2A, 2B, or 4 of the drawings.

Each conductor 86 is electrically connected, as shown in FIG. 5, to anassociated pair of receptacle contacts of each duplex receptacle 16'.Alternatively, two or more triplex receptacles, such as the receptacles62 in FIG. 3, can be substituted. Similarly one or more single-typereceptacles (not shown) can be substituted for the illustrated duplex ortriplex receptacles.

In FIG. 6, receptacle arrangement 92 mounted on battery 94 includesinsulating plate 96 shaped similarly to that shown in FIGS. 1-2. Atriplex receptacle 62' or the like is mounted on the insulating plate96. The receptacle 62' is similar to that shown in FIG. 3 except that atleast one opening of each receptacle can be keyed at 98 to accept asimilarly keyed appliance plug (not shown 7. Thus, an appliance adaptedfor relatively low battery voltage cannot be plugged into a house wiringcircuit or other high-voltage circuit that may use similar receptacles.The receptacle 62' is connected to insulating plate conductors 100 whichin turn are connected to battery posts 102 protruding through aperturemeans in the insulating support or plate 96. The several components ofthe receptacle arrangement 92 can be assembled and secured to thebattery 94 in accord with the teachings of any of the preceding figures.

FIG. 6 illustrated a further feature of my invention in that asingle-pole, single throw switch means such as toggle switch 104 can beconnected in one of the conductors 100. This provides energization anddeenergization of external electric appliances, such'as the lightfixtures shown in FIG. 7, without withdrawing the appliance plugs fromthe receptacle 62. It is also contemplated that a similar function canbe provided by any of the other receptacle arrangements illustratedherein by removing one of the thumbscrews 40 or other securance meansand springing the adjacent end portion of the insulating platesufficiently upward to withdraw the associated battery post. Theinsulating plate then can be angularly displaced about the other batterypost whereupon the undersurface of the insulator plate will rest uponthe withdrawn battery post at a point removed from the adjacentreceptacle conductor.

My novel receptacle and battery combinations as shown herein and theirreasonable equivalents are useful in a wide variety of applications,particularly those wherein it is desired to energize two or moreelectric light fixtures or other appliances from a single battery.

The receptacle and battery combinations are also useful in connectionwith emergency and/0r warning lighting systems, for example thatillustrated in FIG. 7. Although the FIG. 7 organization utilizes thereceptacle arrangement of FIG. 6, it will be understood that others ofmy illustrated receptacle arrangements can be so used, depending uponthe number of plug outlets desired. In the arrangement of FIG. 7, thetriplex receptacle 62' is connected to the electrical system of vehicle106, through cord 108. The vehicle 106 can be provided with my novelwarning light system as described and claimed in my aforementionedcopending application. In such case, the extension cord 108 is doublyplug-ended for contacting both the receptacle 62 and the vehicle outletreceptacle 110, which is in turn connected to the vehicle electricsystem as set forth in ,my aforementioned application.

Assuming the vehicle 106 to be stalled or otherwise parked along aroadway for repair work or the like, a pair of light fixtures 112, 114can be electrically connected to the triplex receptacles 62' by means oftheir conventional plug-ended appliance cords. 1 16. The light fixtures112, 1 14 can be directed forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle 106along the roadway for warning oncoming traffic under nighttimeconditions. Alternatively, one or both of the light fixtures 1 l2, 1 14can be employed as a trouble light. Other appliances, such as powertools (not shown), can be plugged into the receptacle 62 along with orin place of one or both of the light fixtures. As shown in myaforementioned copending application, an overhang warning light ll8 canalso be plugged into the vehicle receptacle 110. Alternatively theoverhang light 118 can be connected to the receptacle 62.

Additional receptacles can be provided, as required, in conjunction withthe receptacle arrangement 92 FIG. 7, after the manner of FIG. 5.

The receptacle arrangement 92 of FIG. 7, as described thus far, servesas a convenient connection point for a plurality of electricalappliances, as the several outlets of the triplex receptacle 62', or thelike, are energized in parallel from a single point or outlet of thevehicle electric system or other electric system. Thus, a multipleelectrical connection is afforded at a single point connection in thevehicle electrical system for operation from the vehicle battery. Duringsuch operation, switch 104 of the receptacle arrangement 92 can beswitched off to conserve the battery 94 of the receptacle and batterycombination for emergency or other subsequent use. In the absence of aswitch 104, as when using any of my novel receptacle arrangement asillustrated in FIGS. l-5, one of the battery terminals can be withdrawnfrom the insulating plate 96, which can then be swung slightly asideabout the other battery terminal as described above, to disconnecttemporarily the battery 94.

When the vehicle battery commences to run down, or when it is otherwiseno longer desirable to use the vehicle battery, the receptaclearrangement switch 104 is switched on to supply the electric appliancessuch as light fixtures 112, 114 from the emergency battery 94 instead ofthe vehicle battery, or other source of electric potential. At thistime, one of the plugs of extension cord 108 can be removed from itsrespective receptacle. Naturally, it is contemplated that the potentialof battery 94 will be the same as that of the vehicle battery or otherpotential source supplying the electric system with which my novelreceptacle and battery arrangement is used.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that novel and efficient forms ofbattery-mounted receptacle means have been described herein. While Ihave shown and described certain presently preferred embodiments of theinvention and have illustrated presently preferred methods of practicingthe same it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim:

l.'A receptacle arrangement adapted for mounting on any one of severalbatteries of different size each having different terminal locations,said arrangement comprising an insulating support member, receptaclemeans including opposite terminals mounted on said support member, apair of conductors mounted on said support member and respectivelyconnected to the opposite terminals of said receptacle means, said pairof conductors beingso constituted as to make electrical contact with theopposite terminals respectively of batteries of different size when saidsupport member is mounted thereon, and means on said support membercooperable with the ter' minals, of batteries of different size tosecure said support member in position thereon and to effect electricalcontact of said conductors with the battery terminals.

2. A receptacle arrangement according to claim 1, wherem the last saidmeans comprises a first pair of appertures in said support memberlocated conformably to the terminals of a first battery of one size, ands second pair of apertures in said support member located differentlythan said first pair and conformably to the terminals of a secondbattery of different size than the first battery.

3. A receptacle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said supportmember is provided with preferential weakening means therein to enableportions of said support member to be broken away of conform the supportmember to the size of the battery on which it is mounted.

4. A receptacle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein saidreceptacle means comprises characteristic slots for receipt ofcomplementary pronged plugs, said slots permitting entry thereinto byconventional pronged plugs but insuring that the complementary prongedplugs used therewith cannot enter into a conventional standardreceptacle.

5. A receptacle arrangement adapted for mounting on a battery, saidarrangement comprising an insulating support member, receptacle meansincluding opposite terminals mounted on said support member, a pair ofconductors mounted on said support member and respectively connected toopposite terminals of said receptacle means, said pair of conductorsbeing so constituted as to make electrical contact with the oppositeterminals of a battery, means on said support member for mounting andmaking electrical contact with the battery terminals, wherein theimprovement comprises the provision of characteristically keyed slotmeans in said receptacle means for receipt of complementary prongedplugs, said slot means permitting entry thereinto by conventionalpronged plugs but insuring that the complementary pronged plugs usedtherewith cannot enter into a conventional receptacle.

2. A receptacle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the last saidmeans comprises a first pair of appertures in said support memberlocated conformably to the terminals of a first battery of one size, anda second pair of apertures in said support member located differentlythan said first pair and conformably to the terminals of a secondbattery of different size than the first battery.
 3. A receptaclearrangement according to claim 1, wherein said support member isprovided with preferential weakening means therein to enable portions ofsaid support member to be broken away of conform the support member tothe size of the battery on which it is mounted.
 4. A receptaclearrangement according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle meanscomprises characteristic slots for receipt of complementary prongedplugs, said slots permitting entry thereinto by conventional prongedplugs but insuring that the complementary pronged plugs used therewithcannot enter into a conventional standard receptacle.
 5. A receptaclearrangement adapted for mounting on a battery, said arrangementcomprising an insulating support member, recePtacle means includingopposite terminals mounted on said support member, a pair of conductorsmounted on said support member and respectively connected to oppositeterminals of said receptacle means, said pair of conductors being soconstituted as to make electrical contact with the opposite terminals ofa battery, means on said support member for mounting and makingelectrical contact with the battery terminals, wherein the improvementcomprises the provision of characteristically keyed slot means in saidreceptacle means for receipt of complementary pronged plugs, said slotmeans permitting entry thereinto by conventional pronged plugs butinsuring that the complementary pronged plugs used therewith cannotenter into a conventional receptacle.